Anti Prostitution Initiatives In Seminole Heights

Seminole Heights is an interesting urban neighborhood, full of life and character. Many homes are bungalows that date from the 1920's, but all styles and can be found including the mini New Tampa style of the New Millenium homes. There is a strong diversity in race, culture, sexual orientation and political opinion. The three subneighborhoods (Old Seminole Heights, South Seminole Heights, and Southeast Seminole Heights) have very strong civic associations and the residents are known city wide for civic activism. Southeast Seminole Heights was named as 2003 National Neighborhood of the Year. This neighborhood is home to community radio station WMNF 88.5, well known for its dedication to activism and progressive causes. City Council and County Commissioners have lived or worked in Seminole Heights. Several strong neighborhood watch groups exist, working closely with police in reducing crime.

On the way to their church or temple or mosque, school, work or shopping, families have driven by prostitutes dressed in skimpy outfits trying to flag down vehicles. There are times the prostitute will flash their breasts or buttocks to passersby. Street corners have been shared with prostitutes while residents wait for a city or school bus. Many female residents, walking to store, going to visit a neighbor or walking a dog, have been approached by Johns trying solicit sex. Prostitutes have banged on doors in the middle of the night asking for help because they were just robbed or assaulted by a John.

Prostitutes and Johns have been found engaging in sexual activity behind the back of a churches and businesses, on porches of occupied homes, in vehicle driving slowly down a residential roads and other locations on and off Nebraska Avenue.

The trappings of prostitution; used condoms; panties and other articles of clothing; syringes, crack cocaine baggies and other drug paraphernalia; and empty alcohol beverage containers; have been found on business parking lots, sidewalks, yards, alleyways, church daycare playgrounds, porches and even on or in people's vehicles. Prostitutes have urinated and defecated on the side areas of homes and businesses. (See Stories From Nebraska Avenue)

Many of local motels on Nebraska Avenue and nearby streets seemed to either ignore the activity or actually cater to the prostitutes. One motel owner has stated "prostitutes are my best customers". Compounding the problem was the attitude of some of the Tampa Police Department (TPD) police officers that were assigned to the area at that time. Once an officer asked a group of residents who were patrolling Nebraska Avenue when the patrolling was going to be finished, so he could let the prostitutes know when they could return. At times some of these select officers seem to blame the residents. On several occasions officers have told residents who were complaining about prostitution activity "You knew what it was like when you moved here, so why complain?" The poor attitudes of these select officers detracted from the efforts of the Tampa Police Department officers who cared.

So what did residents do about the prostitution problems? They took down tags and called or wrote the owners. They demonstrated and picketed. They confronted prostitutes and the johns. They called on city government with petitions. Nothing seemed to work.

Stories From Nebraska Avenue"I have always known that Nebraska Ave. had this reputation. Want a prostitute? Head to Nebraska Ave. The first time it really angered me was when a girl was negotiating with her john on the street leading to my daughter’s elementary school. I was driving down Hamilton Ave from Nebraska toward Cleveland Elementary School when I saw a car blocking the road in front of me just half a block from the school. This is at 7:15 a.m. mind you, I stopped and waited thinking the driver would pull forward. Then I noticed the girl leaning into the car and talking with the driver. She was obviously a prostitute, do not ask me how I know, you live here long enough and you just know. I waited then tapped the horn, the girl looks up flips the middle finger at me and continues on with her negotiations. I then witness the john reach out and begin to fondle her from inside the car. Alright, that’s enough, I lean on the horn and stay on the horn for about thirty seconds until he finally decides to move on. As I drive by where the girl is standing, she tries to reach over and strike the hood of my car with her fist. Needless to say, myself and my daughter were a bit shaken up by this. Let me remind you, this was at 7:15 a.m. one half block from Cleveland Elementary school." - K. K. (more...)